Africa Dive Expeditions

We had a great double tank dive at Cathedral, where around 15 – 20 raggies were sighted inside Cathedral.  Half of which were males and the other half females.  3 humpback whales sighted as well as a large pod of bottlenose dolphins.  On the 2nd dive at Raggie Cave, 4 animals were in and about the site, with 1 very large male in particular moving around the outskirts of Raggie Cave and a smaller female inside Raggie Cave itself.

It looks like the first few sharks have put in an appearance on Aliwal Shoal with 3 large females at Cathedral and 2 large males inside the cave at Raggie Cave.  This is the start of the exciting seasonal arrival of the ragged tooth sharks and we will keep you posted of more arrivals.

After the huge south westerly, which caused a 2 day of no-launching,we had amazing dives for the rest of the long weekend.  A dive to Cathedral gave us a 3.5m scalloped hammerhead shark which was in no hurry to leave the area.  This healthy, robust male shark seemed to be interested in the surge and motion of the ocean around the Cathedral area, enough to keep coming back in, using the entire water column to its advantage, almost in an aerial display motion of up and down swooping motions.  Fascinating to watch.  On a drift up north towards the Pinnacles on the same dive, we encountered 7 bottlenose dolphins underwater, in no apparent hurry at having encountered divers, even though they had 2 young with them, who were extremely playful with their pod all the while.  On the tiger dive outing, we had the privilege of 2 tiger sharks, one in particular coming in and out throughout the entire 70 minute dive, giving everyone a spectacular view of her impressive size and attitude of knowing that she is an apex predator.  We encountered 2 blacktip sharks on this dive, small numbers in comparison to what is usually around, but nevertheless exciting for all.  A dorado was spotted skimming the surface, heading inshore.

Further sightings for the weekend produced plenty of scorpionfish, 1 raggedtooth shark at Raggie Cave, green turtle, plenty of nudibranches and large shoals of fusiliers, mixed with red fang trigger fish, coachman and large numbers of orbicular batfish.  Incredible dives took place over this time.

Despite an unsettled ocean, we had great sightings today.  I took Jared for his 1st openwater dive and he saw a pod of at least 20 bottlenose dolphins underwater whilst we were on scuba.  This is a magical way to start your dives and Jared was told, in no uncertain terms, how lucky he is to have witnessed this on his 1st sea dive.  The dolphins were in no hurry to move off and we had an absolutely magical time with them.  How lucky we are!!!!!!

On a double tank dive, 1st dive was to Cathedral which produced 5 raggies inside Cathedral, one very large male.  Due to the swell and surge, this made the dive eerie as the viz was brilliant at times, until the swell passed overhead and we had sand flying all over the place.  The large male raggie came in very close with the swell,as if using this opportunity to check us out.  On ascending, we encountered a green turtle taking a few breaths of air before descending once again.  This was a perfect photo opportunity as it was not bothered by our presence.  2nd dive was at Howards Castle, which produced around 10 blacktip sharks, which were particularly interested in my unusual method of bringing them in.  up close and personal sightings were had of these sharks almost the entire dive and all thoroughly enjoyed these amazing encounters with these beautiful sharks.  A great day of diving at Aliwal Shoal.

On yesterday’s shark dive 3 tiger sharks & around 25 blacktip sharks were sighted.  A superb dive was had by all.

We had an awesome dive today from North Sands through to Chunnel, past South Sands and onto Eel Skin.  Yes the current was flying but the viz was superb.  12 bottlenose dolphins on scuba at North Sands, 1 Raggie at Chunnel, a huge potato bass near south sands and 7 blacktip sharks near Eel Skin.  Absolutely great sightings today.

This weekend has been amazing on a sightings point of view.  Scalloped hammerhead shark at Shark Alley, a tiger shark on the safety stop yesterday, size estimate 3.5m female and curious.  Banded pipefish at Chunnel, along with a free swiming honeycomb moray eel, round ribbontail ray, 2 blue spot rays resting in a hole.  Shark Alley & Raggie Cave produced paperfish, black cheek moray eels, plenty of nudibranchs, a large shoal of kingfish, fusiliers, potato bass, a massive trumpet fish, garfish, sole and much much more.  Amazing sightings over an amazing weekend of diving with very hot weather to add to this.

This past weekend produced absolutely excellent sightings.  Juvenile manta ray on a south -north drift from Raggie Cave up to the Pinnacles.  30m visibility on the Produce wreck.  8 raggies at Raggie Cave and a massive manta ray near Cathedral.  What a sighting, much to the excitement of everyone.

Can you believe we are nearing the end of January and we STILL have raggies on Chunnel and Raggie Cave with 1 lonesome raggie at Cathedral.  This raggie seems to move around quite a bit and is not always there.  We are extremely fortunate for the 2nd year in a row to have raggies here in summer time.